Approval of alternative fuels.

Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches have now been approved for use with alternative fuels as per the prEN 15940 Directive. This includes the following sub-groups: hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), biomass to liquid (BTL), gas to liquid (GTL) and coal to liquid (CTL). These are various resources that are converted to fuel as part of chemical processes. The approval affects the OM 936 and OM 936 h (7.7 l engine capacity), OM 470 (10.7 l) and OM 471 (12.8 l) engines, from February 2016 in each case. The approval also applies to the most recent generation of OM 470 and OM 471.

Since the properties of the fuels as per the prEN 15940 Directive are identical to conventional diesel fuel refined from mineral oil, no changes whatsoever are required to the engines or their peripherals. The engine oil change and particulate filter cleaning intervals remain identical. The warranty and the guarantee still apply without any restrictions. Performance and torque ratings also remain at the same levels. Up to now exclusively fuels in the NExBTL and C.A.R.E. sub-groups have been approved for use in auxiliary heaters.